SEEKING NEW GENERAL MANAGER

The Board of Directors of Open Harvest Cooperative Grocery is currently accepting resumes for review in April 2010. The position will be available in the late fall of 2010.

The successful candidate will have experience in the following areas: retail management, personnel supervision (hiring, training, etc), preparing budgets, interpreting financial statements, strategic planning, and more.

Questions? Email the Search Committee Chair, Carla McCullough at harvest@openharvest.coop. Please submit resumes to Carla as soon as possible for review in April via email at this address. Hard copies may be dropped off, or mailed to: Open Harvest Cooperative Grocery, 1618 South Street, Lincoln, NE. 68502. Attention: Search Committee.

GENERAL MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

Plans for and administers all operations of Open Harvest in accordance with
The Mission Statement, Bylaws, and Cooperative Principles in such a manner that optimum results are achieved in relation to the resources of Open Harvest.

The GM is hired by and reports to the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors is responsible for the wage and bonus structure of the GM.  The GM directly supervises the Assistant GM, Finance Manager, Merchandising Manager, and Outreach Director.

Responsibilities:

1. FINANCIAL AND PLANNING
1. Develop and recommend to the Board of Directors long and short range plans to achieve coop purposes.
2. Direct all financial operations of Open Harvest.
3. Prepare operating and capital budgets for approval by the Board and be held accountable for control of resources.
4. Report to the Board in accordance with the requirements of POLICY GOVERNANCE.
5. Report financial performance to the Board.
6. Provide information to the Board as requested.
2. OPERATIONS
1. Ensure a profitable, growing business.
2. Maintain knowledge of natural foods retailing and industry trends.
3. Maintain appropriate relations with wholesale distributors, local markets, and other industry sources.
4. Ensure the establishment and maintenance of a product mix that meets the members’ needs.
5. Plan and execute a margin strategy designed to be price competitive and maintain adequate profit for growth.
6. In emergencies, assist with routine storekeeping activities.
3. PERSONNEL
1. Hire, supervise and evaluate the Assistant GM, the Finance Manager, the Merchandising Manager and the Outreach Director. 
2. Oversee compliance with Open Harvest’s personnel policies and update as needed.
3. Develop a staff organizational structure that promotes fair distribution of work while maintaining maximum service to customers.
4. Prepare a yearly payroll budget that meets operating budget constraints.  Pay staff as fairly as possible.
5. Ensure adequate training of staff in order to perform their necessary duties.
4. MARKETING
1. Oversee the development of an advertising & marketing strategy to increase public awareness of the products and services at Open Harvest.
2. Communicate information about the business to the members through the newsletter and the annual report to members.
3. Make sure a quarterly newsletter is produced and sent to the membership in a timely fashion. 
4. Oversee signage and promotions to maximize marketing impact.

OBJECTIVES:

• Operate the business using cooperative business practices.
• Maintain the profitability of the business.
• Increase growth through member recruitment and increased product lines and services.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Management experience in foods retailing.
• Knowledge of the natural foods industry.
• Knowledge of cooperative economics.
• Financial expertise.
• Computer literacy.